This article comes from Entrepreneur.

How Leaders Can Deal With Getting Overwhelmed

It should be empowering to learn that we can deal with being overwhelmed. Take a breath. Here are four steps you can take to get back on track.

1. Think clearly about your goals and priorities.

When you experience stress, you can’t think clearly. Your brain’s processing speed slows down and it takes you longer to process new information, make decisions and interact with colleagues. You may become frustrated by your lower levels of productivity, which may result in a loss of enjoyment at work. Stress also impairs our concentration. When you struggle to concentrate, you can’t focus on tasks that need to be completed, you are easily distracted, your self-esteem erodes and you waste precious time. Solving problems becomes impossible, conversations become disjointed and teamwork is negatively impacted. The most effective way to overcome mental slowdown and impaired concentration is to take a step back and think clearly about where you are going.

2. Get help from others.

You don’t have to feel overwhelmed alone. It’s important to find someone to confide in. Other people can open your perspective and cause you to think differently. Talking and listening to others will help jump-start your thinking process. It’s important not to alienate yourself. Depression and suicide are on the rise among executives. When you get help from others, you should reciprocate. Giving is receiving after all, and there is immense power in gratitude and the human connection. Gratitude has been shown to decrease a slew of toxic emotions, including envy, resentment, regret, and depression, all of which trigger high levels of stress. Research has shown that gratitude is associated with 23 percent lower levels of cortisol and other stress hormones, including adrenaline and norepinephrine. How are you doing so far?

3. Be creative.

Leaders often fall into a routine that can seem monotonous. It’s important to take a step back and switch things up. You can do this by finding a space that will let your creative juices flow. Try to take deep breaths and your mind to wander. You should also be inquisitive and ask yourself questions. Go from idea to idea without constraints. How does it feel? Research has shown that only 45 minutes of creative activity significantly lessens stress levels.

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